If your vehicle is on UK number plates, visit your nearest prefecture to find out the process of changing to French plates. The process varies in the amount of time it takes depending on the make, model, age and country of origin of your vehicle. During this process your vehicle must be insured. Some UK insurers, if you have just moved over to France, may allow the insurance to continue for a set amount of time. If not, when taking out a French insurance policy make sure the insurer knows you are in the process of changing registration and find out how long they will insure you for whilst you are still on your English plates.
If your residence in France is a holiday home and you have your car in the garage back home in the UK, do not make the mistake of thinking if it’s locked away and not in use no insurance is needed. For public liability purposes, the car must remain insured so you might want to change the level of insurance so a minimum level of cover is still in place.
Car cover is very similar in France to what's provided in the UK. You will find ‘Third Party only’, ‘Third Party Fire and Theft’ and ‘Fully Comp’ equivalents along with a range of extras and options that can be included. Via CA Britline the basics of driver protection, public liability and legal assistance are included within each type of cover. Other options such as Homestart breakdown cover, glass damage and zero excess amongst others can also be set up at the outset or during the life of the contract.
You may also have other types of vehicles at you property you wish to cover. Ride on lawn mowers, scooters, motorbikes and boats can all be catered for to keep all insurances under one roof.
Legal Protection Cover
If you are resident on a permanent basis in France Legal Protection is an inexpensive insurance cover giving you access to a team of French legal experts in the event of private, consumer and labour disputes.
Some Home and Contents policies may have limited Legal Protection cover included however if you wish to have complete cover a stand-alone contract is the best option. If you're a UK resident, in some cases the cover can be taken out, however it will apply strictly to French litigation only.
Health Cover: Holidays in France /Residing at your Secondary residence
It is very important to apply for an EHIC card before you leave for your holidays abroad whether travelling to France or another European country. The card covers you up to 90 consecutive days for any medical treatment you may need when away. If you pay for any treatment, keep your receipts and proofs of treatment for a reclaim on your return home. For more information, to apply for or renew an EHIC card consult the NHS website.
Health Cover: French Residents
Once resident in France you will need to contact your local CPAM: Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie to find out if you will automatically be covered by the French social security system for a certain percen-tage of your medical costs. If you are covered you will be provided with an attes-tation and then a Carte Vitale, which you have to present at all medical appoint-ments, hospitals and chemists. You may wish to take out Top-Up Health insurance to cover the costs not reimbursed by CPAM. Depending on your needs, age and budget you will find a Top-Up cover to suit you.
If you find out you are not covered by the CPAM you may need 100% Private Health cover. This can be obtained through CA Britline as is the case for Top-Up cover.